Laguna Beach players celebrate semifinal victory over Grand Terrace. (Photo courtesy Zach Clark, For OC Sports Zone).
Laguna Beach’s baseball team scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and went on to defeat Grand Terrace 2-1 in Tuesday’s CIF Division 4 semifinal at Laguna Beach.
Both teams received solid performances from their starting pitchers in the fast paced pitcher’s duel.
The Breakers will face Glendora (19-11) in the CIF final either Friday or Saturday. Day and location will be announced Wednesday by CIF officials. Glendora defeated Saugus 3-2 in the other semifinal.
It’s the first trip to the finals for Laguna Beach since 2016 when the Breakers won the Division 4 title defeating Kaiser 2-0. Kaiser is in the CIF Division 5 final after defeating Irvine 3-2 Tuesday.
Senior starting pitcher Branson Wade was masterful on the mound for Laguna Beach (20-11) only allowing five hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings.
Dylan Yencho pitched the seventh inning to earn the save for Laguna Beach, the No. 3 team out of the Pacific Coast League.
“Branson has been a huge part of our rotation all year and he came up big for us again today,” said Laguna Beach Coach Ryan Belanto.
Laguna Beach left fielder Otis Boultinghouse came in clutch with an RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game 1-1 after Laguna Beach successfully bunted the lead runner to second base.
Junior shortstop Lincoln Adams then roped a double to the right center scoring Boultinghouse all the way from first base making the score 2-1.
“We’ve made sure to practice the fundamentals like bunting all year long so to see it pay off like that in the fifth was great to see,” said Belanto.
Senior third baseman Gabe Paz gave Laguna Beach a boost at the plate going 2 for 3 with two singles. Junior first baseman Dylan Yencho also lifted the Breakers at the plate as he collected two singles in three at-bats as well.
Grand Terrace starting pitcher Noe Villanueva was dominant despite the loss pitching all six innings for the Titans giving up eight hits and striking out three while not walking a batter.
Senior right fielder Ezekiel Johen carried Grand Terrace (20-8) at the plate going 2 for 4 with two singles including an RBI single in the top of the third inning which would prove to be only run of the game for the Titans.
Laguna Beach and Rancho Alamitos are the two OC teams that have qualified for the CIF finals. Laguna Beach has also earned a berth in the CIF So Cal Regionals that begin next week.
—Courtesy Zach Clark, For OC Sports Zone
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